Dishwasher rack lift system

ABSTRACT

A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a variety of height positions. A drive mechanism may assist the dishwasher rack between the vertical positions. A worm screw may be coupled to a motor and may be positioned within the dishwasher tub.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the following application, which is filedon even date herewith and assigned to the same assignees as the presentapplication: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/391,738 entitled“DISHWASHER RACK SYSTEM.” The disclosure of this application isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present embodiments relate to an appliance rack or shelf, withparticular embodiments shown for a dishwasher rack for a dishwasherappliance.

Typical dishwasher racks, if adjustable in height at all, may include amulti-bar linkage to mechanically assist the user to swing the bottomrack out and up from the dishwasher tub. However, this structure oftenmay contain several pinch points within the linkage, and unexpectedmovement may also occur. Thus, there is a need for the dishwasher rackto be capable of adjustment in the vertical direction while maintainingthe ability to extend out of and/or retract into the dishwasher tub.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments of the invention, for example, a dish washingappliance may include a dishwasher tub defining a wash cavity. Theappliance may include one or more dishwasher racks positioned within thewash cavity of the dishwasher tub. Moreover in some embodiments, atleast one of the dishwasher racks may be moveable between a stowedposition and a deployed position, wherein the deployed position may bedifferent from the stowed position. In various embodiments, theappliance may include at least one threaded member. Further, in someembodiments, the appliance may include one or more slides coupling atleast one dishwasher rack to at least one threaded member. The appliancemay include at least one motor. In some embodiments, the appliance mayinclude at least one worm screw located within the wash cavity andoperably coupled to at least one motor. In various embodiments, at leastone threaded member and at least one dishwasher rack may be connected toat least one worm screw. Further, at least one threaded member, one ofmore slides, and at least one dishwasher rack may be positionablebetween a first height and a second height along a length of at leastone worm screw when at least one dishwasher rack is in the deployedposition. Further, the second height may be at a higher verticalelevation than the first height.

In some embodiments, at least one threaded member and at least one wormscrew may be positioned adjacent a rear wall of the dishwasher tub.Further in some embodiments, at least one worm screw may be locatedbetween at least one rack and the rear wall of the dishwasher tub. Invarious embodiments, at least one dishwasher rack may be in the stowedposition in at least one height between the first height and the secondheight along at least one worm screw. In some embodiments, a racksupport may be fixed to at least one threaded member. Further, the racksupport may include one or more slides. In some embodiments, one or moreguide mechanisms may be between the rack support and the dishwasher tub.Further, in some embodiments, one or more guide mechanisms may beadjacent a rear wall of the dishwasher tub.

In some embodiments, a dish washing appliance may include a dishwashertub defining a wash cavity. Further, the dishwasher tub may include arear wall. Moreover, in some embodiments, the appliance may include oneor more dishwasher racks. Moreover, at least one of the dishwasher racksmay be positionable within the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub. Insome embodiments, the appliance may include at least one threadedmember. In some embodiments, the appliance may include at least onemotor. In some embodiments, the appliance may include at least one wormscrew positioned within the wash cavity between at least one dishwasherrack and the rear wall. Moreover, at least one worm screw may beoperably coupled to at least one motor. In various embodiments, at leastone threaded member and at least one dishwasher rack may be connected toat least one worm screw. Further, at least one threaded member and atleast one dishwasher rack may be positionable between a first height anda second height along at least one worm screw. Further in someembodiments, the second height is at a higher vertical elevation thanthe first height. In various embodiments, at least one dishwasher rackis positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position whenat least one threaded member and at least one dishwasher rack arecapable of being positioned at one or more heights between the firstheight and the second height. Further, the deployed position isdifferent from the stowed position.

In addition, in some embodiments, at least one motor may be positionedoutside the wash cavity. In various embodiments, the one or more heightsinclude at least one of the first height and the second height. Furtherin some embodiments, at least one dishwasher rack may include one ormore slides engaging at least one dishwasher rack to at least onethreaded member. In addition in some embodiments, a rack support may befixed to at least one threaded member. Further, the rack support mayinclude the one or more slides. In various embodiments, one or moreguide mechanisms may be between the rack support and the dishwasher tub.In some embodiments, the one or more guide mechanisms may be adjacentthe rear wall of the dishwasher tub. Moreover in some embodiments, atleast one threaded member and at least one dishwasher rack may bepositionable between the first height and the second height along atleast one worm screw when in the deployed position.

In various embodiments, a dish washing appliance may include adishwasher tub that may include at least a rear wall therein defining awash cavity. In some embodiments, the appliance may include one or moredishwasher racks. Further in some embodiments, at least one of thedishwasher racks may be positioned within the wash cavity of thedishwasher tub. In addition in some embodiments, the appliance mayinclude at least one threaded member. In addition in some embodiments,the appliance may include at least one motor. Moreover in someembodiments, the appliance may include at least one worm screw operablycoupled to at least one motor. In various embodiments, at least one wormscrew may be fixedly positioned in a substantially vertical orientationadjacent the rear wall of the dishwasher tub. In addition, in someembodiments, at least one threaded member and at least one dishwasherrack may be connected to at least one worm screw. Further in someembodiments, at least one threaded member and at least one dishwasherrack may be positionable between a first height and a second heightalong at least one worm screw. In various embodiments, the second heightmay be at a higher vertical elevation than the first height. In additionin some embodiments, at least one dishwasher rack may be positionablebetween a stowed position and a deployed position when at least onethreaded member and at least one dishwasher rack are at one or moreheights between the first height and the second height. Further, invarious embodiments the deployed position may be different from thestowed position.

In addition, in some embodiments, the one or more dishwasher racks maybe an upper dishwasher rack positioned above at least one dishwasherrack. In various embodiments, at least one worm screw may be locatedwithin the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub. Further in someembodiments, at least one dishwasher rack may include one or more slidesengaging at least one dishwasher rack to at least one threaded member.In some embodiments, a rack support may be fixed to at least onethreaded member. Further, the rack support may include the one or moreslides. In addition in some embodiments, one or more guide mechanismsmay be between the rack support and the dishwasher tub. In variousembodiments, at least one threaded member and at least one dishwasherrack may be positionable between the first height and the second heightalong at least one worm screw when in the deployed position.

These and other advantages and features, which characterize severalembodiments, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and form afurther part hereof. However, for a better understanding of theembodiments, and of their advantages and objectives, reference should bemade to the drawings and to the accompanying description, in which thereare described example embodiments. This summary is merely provided tointroduce a selection of concepts that are further described below inthe detailed description, and is not intended to identify key oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter, nor to definethe field of endeavor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the sameparts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed uponillustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bottom dishwasherrack illustrating at least one raised height position, with portions ofthe housing, upper rack, and dishwasher tub removed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the bottom dishwasher rack of FIG. 1illustrating the dishwasher rack in the stowed position;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 at a firstheight and illustrating another dishwasher rack disposed above;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 illustratingthe dishwasher rack in a deployed position different from the stowedposition;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 illustratingthe dishwasher rack in the deployed position and at a second height;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the dishwasherrack illustrating another embodiment of a gear mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a schematic top view of the dishwasher rack of FIG. 2illustrating one embodiment of a guide mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 illustratingthe guide mechanism in another location relative to the rack support;

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the dishwasher rack of FIG. 2illustrating another embodiment of a guide mechanism; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 illustratingthe guide mechanism in another location relative to the rack support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the descriptionbelow. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specificimplementations discussed herein.

The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the implementationof the hereinafter-described techniques within a front-load residentialdish washing machine such as dish washing appliance 10, such as the typethat may be used in single-family or multi-family dwellings, or in othersimilar applications. However, it will be appreciated that theherein-described apparatus and techniques may also be used in connectionwith other types of dish washing machines in some embodiments. Forexample, the herein-described apparatus and techniques may be used incommercial applications in some embodiments. Moreover, theherein-described apparatus and techniques may be used in connection withother dish washing machine configurations, and even other appliances,such as, for example, ovens, refrigerators, and the like.

Embodiments for a dish washing machine are shown herein for ease ofunderstanding. For example, a front-load dish washing machine thatincludes a front-mounted door 12 in a cabinet or housing 11 thatprovides access to at least one horizontally-oriented dishwasher rack 20housed within the cabinet or housing 11 may be used. More specifically,the dishwasher rack 20 may be housed in a dishwasher tub 14.Implementation of the herein-described apparatus and techniques within avariety of appliances would be well within the abilities of one ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure,so the invention is not limited to the front-load dish washingimplementation discussed further herein.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like partsthroughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an example dish washingappliance 10 in which the various technologies and techniques describedherein may be implemented. Dish washing appliance 10 is a front-loaddish washing machine, and as such may include a front-mounted door 12(FIGS. 1 and 3) defining an opening 13 that provides access to ahorizontally-oriented dishwasher tub 14. The door 12 may be coupled witha cabinet or housing 11 that may house the dishwasher tub 14. Door 12 isgenerally hinged along a front or front edge of the housing 11 adjacentthe opening 13 and is pivotable between the open position illustrated inFIG. 1 and a closed position (not shown). When door 12 is in the openposition, dishes, utensils, pans, and other washable items may beinserted into and removed from the one or more dishwasher racks 20through the opening 13 in the front of cabinet or housing 11. Controlover dish washing appliance 10, or more specifically the dishwasherracks 20, by a user is generally managed through a control panel 18disposed on a door 12 and implementing a user interface 19 for the rack,and it will be appreciated that in different designs, control panel 18may include various types of input and/or output devices, includingvarious knobs, buttons, lights, switches, textual and/or graphicaldisplays, touch screens, etc. through which a user may configure one ormore settings and start and stop the dishwasher rack cycle or movementas described herein. For example, the control panel 18, or portionsthereof, may be included with the dishwasher rack 20, on the interior orexterior of the door, and/or adjacent the rack within the opening of thedish washing machine. For example in some embodiments, portions of thecontrols may be accessible when the door 12 is in the open position. Inother embodiments, the one or more racks 20 may raise and/or lower byproximity of one or more users and/or by a one or more gestures orbodily movement relative to the rack and/or portions of the dish washingmachine.

As shown in the figures, the one or more dishwasher racks 20, orportions thereof, may be moveable or positionable relative to the dishwashing appliance 10 between a stowed or un-deployed position (FIGS. 1,3, and 7-10) and a deployed or different position (FIGS. 4-6). At leastone of the stowed positions of the dishwasher rack 20 may be used whenone or more of the washing cycles is in operation to wash objects in thewash cavity 15. The deployed position may be one or more positionsdifferent from one or more of the stowed positions. One deployedposition may be a position to dry, load, and/or unload dishes, utensils,or the like. The one or more dishwasher racks 20 may travel in one ormore horizontal planes between the stowed and deployed positions. Thehorizontal planes may be into and/or out of the wash cavity 15 definedby the dishwasher tub 14. The wash cavity 15 may be defined by one ormore walls, not limited to the rear wall 14 a, of the dishwasher tub 14.Although the substantially linear movement of the dishwasher rack mayoccur along one horizontal plane as shown in one embodiment, the path oftravel may be in a variety of angles, curves, and/or height positions inone or both the directions into or out of a position.

The one or more dishwasher racks 20, or portions thereof, may bepositionable or operable between one or more vertical positions orheights. The dishwasher rack 20 may be positionable, raised and/orlowered, between a variety of height positions or range of heightpositions. The height positions may include at least a first height andat least a second height. In some embodiments, the second height (FIGS.1 and 5) may be at a vertical elevation higher than the first height(FIG. 4). The dishwasher rack 20 may be deployed and/or stowed when therack is in any of the one or more heights. Moreover in some embodiments,the dishwasher rack 20 may be deployed and/or stowed while thedishwasher rack is being raised and/or lowered between one or morepositions. In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the dishwasherrack 20 may be raised and/or lowered between one or more heights whenthe dishwasher rack is in the deployed position. In some embodiments,the dishwasher rack 20 may be raised and/or lowered between one or moreheights when the dishwasher rack is in the stowed position. Further therange of travel of the rack or portions of a rack may include a varietyof distances and still be within the scope of the invention. For examplein some various embodiments, the dishwasher rack distance of verticaltravel in one or more stowed and/or deployed positions may be dependenton, but is not limited to, factors such as the location relative toanother rack, the load conditions of one or more racks (i.e. dishesloaded and/or unloaded, size and/or shape of dishes), the desired heightbased upon one or more user preferences (i.e. on height of the userand/or desired height of the rack based on the contents within the rackto be unloaded).

In some embodiments, one or more dishwasher racks 20, or portionsthereof, may be power driven by a variety of devices or drive mechanisms30 between the variety of heights. As shown in the figures, in someembodiments one or more motors 32 may be used to raise and/or lower theone or more dishwasher racks 20. The motor 32 may drive the dishwasherrack 20 between the variety of heights, such as but not limited to, thefirst height and the second height. One embodiment may include anelectric motor as shown with a drive shaft 34 projecting therefrom. Theelectric motor's rotation may correspond to the appropriate lineartravel and/or direction of the dishwasher rack 20 between a variety ofvertical position along any number of horizontal positions between thestowed and deployed positions. Although an electric motor is shown, itshould be understood that a variety of actuators, i.e. mechanical,electro-mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, magnetic, pressure, or thelike, may be used and still be within the scope of the invention toachieve the variety of heights of the dishwasher rack.

In various embodiments, the dishwasher rack 20 may be coupled to thedrive mechanism 30 by a variety of gear mechanisms 40. In variousembodiments, the dishwasher rack 20 may include a gear mechanism 40having a worm screw 42 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 operably coupled to themotor 32. The worm screw 42 may have a substantially verticalorientation with the housing 11 or dishwasher tub 14. The worm screw 42may be fixedly positioned relative to the dishwasher tub 14, such thatin some embodiments the worm screw 42 does not travel with thedishwasher rack 20 between the stowed and deployed positions. Further,in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6, a worm wheel 46 may be used. Itshould be understood that the gear mechanisms may be of a variety ofquantities, sizes, orientations, positions, and constructions and stillbe within the scope of the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, one embodiment of the dishwasher rack 20may be moveable between one or more height positions. The dishwasherrack 20, or portions thereof, may be connected to the one or more wormscrews 42 by one or more threaded members 44. In some embodiments, theworm screw 42 may be orientated in a vertical plane within thedishwasher tub 14. The motor 32 is coupled to a worm screw or threadedgear 42 via the motor drive shaft 34 adjacent the rear wall 14 a. Thethreaded member 44 is connected to the dishwasher rack 20 and the wormscrew 42. In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, and 3-6, the motor 32 maybe positioned outside the dishwasher tub 14 wash cavity 15. Although notshown, it is understood that the motor 32 may be positioned at leastpartially or completely within the dishwasher tub 14 in someembodiments. The threaded member 44 may be attached to the dishwasherrack 20 such that the threaded member 44 is positionable with the rack20 between the first height (FIG. 4) and the second height (FIG. 5), orvariety of one or more height positions or distances. Further in someembodiments as is shown and discussed herein, one or more slides 64 maybe positionable with the dishwasher rack 20 between the first height andthe second height. Although the threaded member 44 is shown as a blockor nut with a threaded opening receiving the worm screw 42, a variety ofthreaded members may be used in different quantities, construction,shape, orientations and still operably engage the worm screw 42.Rotation of the motor 32 may rotate the drive shaft 34 and worm screw 42clockwise and/or counterclockwise. Because the threaded member 44 isfixed to the dishwasher rack 20, rotation of the worm screw 42 moves(i.e. but not limited to linearly) the threaded member 44 and dishwasherrack 20 between a variety of vertical positions in any number ofhorizontal positions between the stowed and deployed positions,depending on the direction of rotation of the worm screw 42. Theelectric motor 32 may be engaged in the appropriate rotational directionby a controller in some embodiments.

As shown in the figures, in some embodiments the dishwasher rack 20 maybe connected to the threaded member 44 by a rack support 50. The racksupport 50 may be fixed to the threaded member 44 such that the racksupport 50 and threaded member 44 travel vertically between variouspositions or heights. The rack support 50 may surround at least aportion of the outer periphery of the dishwasher rack 20. In oneembodiment, the rack support 50 may include an elongated rear member 52adjacent the rear wall 14 a and/or proximal end of the dishwasher rack20. At each end of the rear member 52 of the rack support 50 a lateralarm 54 may project from the rear member 52 towards the distal end of thedishwasher rack and/or opening 13. Although the rack support 50 is shownas substantially U-shaped in a horizontal plane, the rack support 50 maybe a variety of quantities, sizes, shapes, orientations, andconstructions and still be within the scope of the invention.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 7-10, the dishwasher rack 20 maybe coupled to one or more guide mechanisms 70, 170. The guide mechanismmay be positioned at one or more locations to guide and support thevertical movement or height position of the dishwasher rack 20. In FIGS.7 and 9, the one or more guide mechanisms 70, 170 may be positioned atthe rear member 52. In other embodiments as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, theguide mechanisms 70, 170 may be positioned anywhere along one or morelateral arms 54. Moreover, the guide mechanisms may be included in oneor more of the lateral arms 54 and also the rear member 52 in someembodiments. The guide mechanism may be a variety of quantities, sizes,orientations, positions, and constructions and still be within the scopeof the invention. For example in one embodiment of the guide mechanism70 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, one or more guide rods 72 may be mountedvertically within the dishwasher tub 14 and at least one guide block 74may be coupled with the rack support 50 to receive the correspondingguide rod 72 therethrough such that dishwasher rack 20 and guide block74 may move vertically along the guide rod 72. Moreover in variousembodiments of the guide mechanism 170 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10,vertically orientated and elongated guide tracks or rails 172 define areceiving slot to receive a corresponding guide protrusion or projection174 from the rack support 50 to support and guide the dishwasher rack'svertical movement and may reduce the lateral movement thereof.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher rack 20 may be self-locking in oneor more height positions. In one embodiment, the interaction of thegeometry of the worm screw 42 and threaded member 44 self-locks suchthat the dishwasher rack 20 may not be raised and/or lowered unless theworm screw 42 is being rotated. It is understood that a variety ofself-locking mechanisms may be used to limit travel of the dishwasherrack. For example, the guide mechanism 70 and/or rack support 50 mayinclude self-locking features that engage and/or disengage operably bythe user and/or controller. For example a locking tab, clip, and/orreleasable catch may be used. Moreover for example, one or more locksmay engage if the rack 20 is loaded or of a particular or sufficientfirst weight, and/or may disengage if the dishwasher rack 20 is unloadedor of a particular or sufficient second weight. The first weight may belarger than the second weight in some embodiments.

As shown in the figures, in some embodiments the one or more dishwasherracks 20 may include a variety of attachments 60 to deploy and/orretract the dishwasher racks relative to the dishwasher tub 14 and/orrack support 50. In some embodiments as shown in the figures, theattachment 60 is in the form of one or more slides or rails 64. Itshould be understood that a variety of attachments 60 may be used such,as but not limited to, wheels 62. One or more wheels 62 may allow thedishwasher rack 20 to be in rolling contact with the rack support 50.Wheels 62 may be used in combination with rails 64 in variousembodiments. In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, thedishwasher rack 20 may include one or more rails or slides 64 engagingthe rack support 50 allowing the linear or horizontal travel of thedishwasher rack between the stowed position and the deployed position.Although the engagement between the rack support 50 and the dishwasherrack 20 is shown in one embodiment, a variety of attachments and/ormechanisms may be used to allow movement of the dishwasher rack relativeto the dishwasher tub, threaded member 44, and/or rack support 50 andstill be within the scope of the invention disclosed herein.

In various embodiments as shown in the figures, the drive mechanism 30,gear mechanisms 40, guide mechanisms 70, 170, and/or one or morethreaded members 44 may be positioned adjacent the rear portion of thedishwasher tub 14. The worm screw 42, the threaded member 44, and/ormotor 32 may be positioned adjacent the rear wall 14 a of the dishwashertub 14 that defines a portion of the wash cavity 15. This locationdistal from the opening 13 may reduce contact with the user. Moreover,the gear mechanism 40, rack support 50, threaded member 44, and/or guidemechanism 70, 170 might not project out of the opening 13 in someembodiments. As is shown at least in FIGS. 1-3, the worm screw 42 ispositioned within the wash cavity 15, or more specifically in someembodiments between the dishwasher rack 20 and the rear wall 14 a. Itshould be understood that the one or more worm screws 42 and/or threadedmembers 44 may be positioned at a variety of locations within in thedishwasher tub 14 spaced away from the opening 13 and/or at variouspositions relative to the dishwasher rack 20.

In some embodiments of the dish washing appliance 10 as shown in FIGS. 1and 3-5, the dishwasher tub 14 may include two or more racks 20.Although in some embodiments that the dishwasher rack 20 with liftsystem is the bottom rack of the appliance 10 as shown in FIGS. 1-5, itshould be understood that the lift system may be used with the upperrack, alone or combined with the lower rack. The lower dishwasher rack20 may include wheels 62, if used, and be raised and/or lowered. In someembodiments, wheels 62 may not be used. The upper rack 20 may includeslides 64 as shown and may or may not be raised and/or lower in someembodiments. However, it should be understood that the lower and/orupper rack, or respective portions thereof, may be lowered or raised invarious embodiments hereof. Moreover, one or more racks or portionsthereof may be raised and/or lowered together and/or separately.Further, one or more racks 20 or portions of one or more racks may bedriven between heights independently and/or dependently from anotherrack and/or portions of racks thereof. For example, one or more rackportions may move vertically relative to the remaining rack portionsbefore and/or after the remaining portions travel. Further, somedishwasher racks may move before and/or after another rack to correspondto a user's preference, for example when loading and/or unloading theone or more dishwasher racks of the appliance 10. In should beunderstood that in some embodiments, the one or more dishwasher racksmay travel between a first height and second height when the door 12 isin a closed and/or open position.

As shown in FIG. 6, another embodiment of the gear mechanism 40 betweenthe drive mechanism 30 and dishwasher rack 20 may be used to positionthe dishwasher rack 20 between the first height and the second height.The dishwasher rack 20 may be coupled to the motor 32 and drive shaft 34by the gear mechanism 40 that includes a worm screw 42 and worm wheel46. The worm wheel 46 may be a gear or threaded member such that therotation of the worm wheel 46 by the motor 32 rotates the worm screw 42in one or more rotational directions, thereby translating the threadedmember 44 and dishwasher rack 20 up and/or down in the correspondingdirection along a length of the worm screw 42.

Although the dishwasher rack 20 is shown schematically in the figures,it should be understood that the dishwasher rack may be a variety ofsizes, shapes, quantities, and construction and still be within thescope of the teachings herein. For example, the dishwasher rack 20 mayhave a first portion that may move between a variety of verticalpositions in any number of horizontal positions between the stowed anddeployed positions separately and/or together with another portion ofthe rack and/or other rack.

In operation, embodiments of the dishwasher rack 20 may be operated byone or more control panels 18. As is shown in the embodiments, a controlpanel 18 may be outside the door 12. However, the control panels may beinside and/or outside the door. In use, the extension and/or retractionof the dishwasher rack may be selected by the user. The duration oftravel, distance of travel, first height, second height, and one or moreheight positions all may be preset, depending upon characteristics ofthe dishwasher rack (i.e. weight, size, and/or quantity of items to becleaned, capacity available and/or not available, loaded or unloadedconditions, or the like), or can be predetermined. Also, preprogramedcycles or modes may also be used to position the dishwasher rack.

It should be understood that in some embodiments, dish washing appliance10 and/or dishwasher rack 20 may be, in whole or in part, under thecontrol of a controller (not shown) that receives inputs from a numberof components and drives a number of components in response thereto. Thecontroller may, for example, include one or more processors and a memory(not shown) within which may be stored program code for execution by theone or more processors. The memory may be embedded in the controller,but may also be considered to include volatile and/or non-volatilememories, cache memories, flash memories, programmable read-onlymemories, read-only memories, etc., as well as memory storage physicallylocated elsewhere from controller, e.g., in a mass storage device or ona remote computer interfaced with a controller.

The controller may be interfaced with various components, including theaforementioned dishwasher tub 14, dishwasher rack 20, door 12, drivemechanism 30, gear mechanism 40, guide mechanisms 70, 170, sensors (notshown), etc. For example, the sensors may include limit switches and/orcontact switches that maintain the one or more deployed and/or stowedpositions while one or more vertical adjustments in height occur. Insome embodiments, one or more sensors may also be used to position oneor more racks from encroaching into a space and/or close proximity ofanother rack or their respective contents. For example, the use of asensor may allow the rack to be raised and/or lowered only when the rackhas reached a deployed position such as to allow the lower rack to beraised vertically without encroaching with the upper rack. In addition,controller may be coupled to a user interface 19 including variousinput/output devices such as knobs, dials, sliders, switches, buttons,lights, textual and/or graphics displays, touch screen displays,speakers, image capture devices, microphones, etc. for receiving inputfrom and communicating with a user, e.g., as may be disposed in acontrol panel 18. In some embodiments, a controller may also be coupledto one or more network interfaces, e.g., for interfacing with externaldevices via wired and/or wireless networks such as Ethernet, Bluetooth,NFC, cellular, and other suitable networks. Additional components mayalso be interfaced with a controller, as will be appreciated by those ofordinary skill having the benefit of the instant disclosure. Moreover,in some embodiments, at least a portion of controller may be implementedexternally from a dish washing machine, e.g., within a mobile device, acloud computing environment, etc., such that at least a portion of thefunctionality described herein is implemented within the portion of thecontroller that is externally implemented.

In some embodiments, a controller may operate under the control of anoperating system and may execute or otherwise rely upon various computersoftware applications, components, programs, objects, modules, datastructures, etc. In addition, controller may also incorporate hardwarelogic to implement some or all of the functionality disclosed herein.Further, in some embodiments, the sequences of operations performed bycontroller to implement the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented using program code including one or more instructions thatare resident at various times in various memory and storage devices, andthat, when read and executed by one or more hardware-based processors,perform the operations embodying desired functionality. Moreover, insome embodiments, such program code may be distributed as a programproduct in a variety of forms, and that the invention applies equallyregardless of the particular type of computer readable media used toactually carry out the distribution, including, for example,non-transitory computer readable storage media. In addition, it will beappreciated that the various operations described herein may becombined, split, reordered, reversed, varied, omitted, parallelizedand/or supplemented with other techniques known in the art, andtherefore, the invention is not limited to the particular sequences ofoperations described herein.

While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein,those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety ofother means and/or structures for performing the function and/orobtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages describedherein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to bewithin the scope of the embodiments described herein. More generally,those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters,dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant tobe exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials,and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application orapplications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in theart will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routineexperimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments describedherein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoingembodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within thescope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may bepracticed otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, and/or method described herein. Inaddition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, isincluded within the scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in theclaims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements soconjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some casesand disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with“and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” ofthe elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause,whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when usedin conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer,in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other thanB); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Unless limited otherwise, theterms “connected,” “coupled,” “in communication with,” and “mounted,”and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct andindirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms“connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted tophysical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The foregoing description of several embodiments of the invention hasbeen presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or formsdisclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A dish washing appliance comprising: a dishwasher tub defining a wash cavity; one or more dishwasher racks positioned within the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub, at least one of the dishwasher racks is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the deployed position is different from the stowed position; at least one threaded member; one or more slides coupling the at least one dishwasher r rack to the at least one threaded member; at least one motor; at least one worm screw located within the wash cavity and operably coupled to the at least one motor; the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack connected to the at least one worm screw, wherein the at least one threaded member, the one or more slides, and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between a first height and a second height along a length of the at least one worm screw when the at least one dishwasher rack is in the deployed position, wherein the second height is at a higher vertical elevation than the first height; and wherein the at least one threaded member and the at least one worn screw are positioned adjacent a rear wall of the dishwasher tub.
 2. The dish washing appliance of claim 1 wherein the at least one worm screw is located between the at least one rack and the rear wall of the dishwasher tub.
 3. The dish washing appliance of claim 1 wherein the at least one dishwasher rack is in the stowed position in at least one height between the first height and the second height along the at least one worm screw.
 4. The dish washing appliance of claim 1 further including a rack support fixed to the at least one threaded member, wherein the rack support includes the one or more slides.
 5. The dish washing appliance of claim 4 further comprising one or more guide mechanisms between the rack support and the dishwasher tub.
 6. The dish washing appliance of claim 5 wherein the one or more guide mechanisms are adjacent a rear wall of the dishwasher tub.
 7. A dish washing appliance comprising: a dishwasher tub defining a wash cavity, wherein the dishwasher tub includes a rear wall; one or more dishwasher racks, at least one of the dishwasher racks is positionable within the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub; at least one threaded member; at least one motor; at least one worm screw positioned within the wash cavity between the at least one dishwasher rack and the rear wall, the at least one worm screw operably coupled to the at least one motor; the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack connected to the at least one worm screw, wherein the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between a first height and a second height along the at least one worm screw, wherein the second height is at a higher vertical elevation than the first height; and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position when the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher racks are capable of being positioned at one or more heights between the first height and the second height, wherein the deployed position is different from the stowed position; wherein the at least one dishwasher rack includes one or more slides engaging the at least one dishwasher rack to the at least one threaded member; a rack support fixed to the at least one threaded member, wherein the rack support includes the one or more slides; and one or more guide mechanisms between the rack support and the dishwasher tub, wherein the one or more guide mechanisms are adjacent the rear wall of the dishwasher tub.
 8. The dish washing appliance of claim 7 wherein the at least one motor is positioned outside the wash cavity.
 9. The dish washing appliance of claim 7 wherein the one or more heights include at least one of the first height and the second height.
 10. The dish washing appliance of claim 7 wherein the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between the first height and the second height along the at least one worm screw when in the deployed position.
 11. A dish washing appliance comprising: a dishwasher tub, wherein the dishwasher tub includes at least a rear wall therein defining a wash cavity; one or more dishwasher racks, at least one of the dishwasher racks is positioned within the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub; at least one threaded member; at least one motor; at least one worm screw operably coupled to the at least one motor, wherein the at least one worm screw is fixedly positioned in a substantially vertical orientation adjacent the rear wall of the dishwasher tub; the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack connected to the at least one worm screw, wherein the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between a first height and a second height along the at least one worm screw, wherein the second height is at a higher vertical elevation than the first height; and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position when the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack are at one or more heights between the first height and the second height, wherein the deployed position is different from the stowed position.
 12. The dish washing appliance of the claim 11 wherein the one or more dishwasher racks is an upper dishwasher rack positioned above a lower dishwasher rack.
 13. The dish washing appliance of claim 11 wherein the at least one worm screw is located within the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub.
 14. The dish washing appliance of claim 11 wherein the at least one dishwasher rack includes one or more slides engaging the at least one dishwasher rack to the at least one threaded member.
 15. The dish washing appliance of claim 14 further including a rack support fixed to the at least one threaded member, wherein the rack support includes the one or more slides.
 16. The dish washing appliance of claim 15 further comprising one or more guide mechanisms between the rack support and the dishwasher tub.
 17. The dish washing appliance of claim 11 wherein the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between the first height and the second height along the at least one worm screw when in the deployed position.
 18. A dish washing appliance comprising: a dishwasher tub defining a wash cavity; one or more dishwasher racks positioned within the wash cavity of the dishwasher tub, at least one of the dishwasher racks is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the deployed position is different from the stowed position; at least one threaded member; one or more slides coupling the at least one dishwasher rack to the at least one threaded member; at least one motor; at least one worm screw located within the wash cavity and operably coupled to the at least one motor; the at least one threaded member and the at least one dishwasher rack connected to the at least one worm screw, wherein the at least one threaded member, the one or more slides, and the at least one dishwasher rack is positionable between a first height and a second height along a length of the at least one worm screw when the at least one dishwasher rack is in the deployed position, wherein the second height is at a higher vertical elevation than the first height; a rack support fixed to the at least one threaded member, wherein the rack support includes the one or more slides; and one or more guide mechanisms between the rack support and the dishwasher tub, wherein the one or more guide mechanisms are adjacent a rear wall of the dishwasher tub. 